Vitantonio Liuzzi is holding out hope that he can retain his race seat at the HRT Formula 1 team for the 2012 season, confirming he has a contract to do so until 2013.
However, that contract was agreed under previous ownership. The team has since changed hands in 2011, calling into question the likelihood that Liuzzi will be announced as a driver alongside the already confirmed Pedro de la Rosa.
Despite that, Liuzzi insists the team want him, but admits a lack of funds through personal sponsors is holding him back.
“At the moment everything is still vague,” he told 422race. “The main problem is that the team has no budget, they’re considering how to find the money to have two drivers.
“I, for the moment, am still linked to HRT because I have a contract for another two years,” he confirmed.
“They would like to keep both me and Pedro. Unfortunately the economic situation in Formula 1, as in the rest of the world, is difficult and they must take that into account, so I’m still on standby.”
When asked if he may consider a reserve or advisory role, the Italian said it was a possibility.
“I’m sure that I will remain involved with HRT. At the moment I feel part of the team and there is definitely a desire to keep me there as an advisor [if not a driver].”
